Remittance inflows have increased by 17.30 percent over the year.

Bangla Press Desk: Despite various pressures on the national economy, remittances from expatriates are providing a sense of relief. In the 2025-26 fiscal year, the country received $35.59 billion in remittances—an increase of 17.30% compared to the $30.33 billion recorded in the previous fiscal year.
These funds sent by expatriates play a crucial role in maintaining the supply of foreign currency and the balance of payments. However, concerns have emerged regarding the sustainability of this growth, driven by military tensions and disruptions to air travel in Saudi Arabia—a major source of remittances.
Experts note that the growth in remittances offers some respite amidst challenges such as sluggish credit flow to the private sector, investment uncertainty, an industrial slowdown, and inflationary pressure. Yet, a prolonged conflict in the Middle East could negatively impact employment, the earnings of expatriates, and the flow of funds back to Bangladesh. According to Bangladesh Bank data, Saudi Arabia accounted for 16.13% of total remittances in the last fiscal year. In the first three months of the current fiscal year, approximately $1.65 billion arrived from the country, with its share of total remittances rising to nearly 19%. Consequently, any instability in the Saudi labor market could potentially affect Bangladesh’s economy.
Approximately 16,000 Bangladeshi workers in Saudi Arabia are currently facing uncertainty due to the security situation and disruptions to air travel. Many of them have visas nearing expiration and risk losing their jobs if they fail to reach their workplaces on time. Md. Kamrul Islam, General Manager (Public Relations) of US-Bangla Airlines, stated that flights on the Riyadh route have been suspended until October 21 due to the prevailing situation; the airline typically operates six flights per week on this route.
So far, about 11 flights have been canceled, leaving eight to nine thousand passengers—across both Dhaka and Riyadh—waiting to travel. Even once flights resume, limited operational slots may make it difficult to transport the stranded passengers to their destinations promptly. According to data from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), 169,646 out of the 333,427 Bangladeshi workers who went abroad between February and August 2026 headed to Saudi Arabia—meaning more than half of the total workers who migrated during this period chose that country. However, the overall number of workers migrating abroad has declined by 38.53% compared to the same period the previous year. Dr. Masrur Reaz, Chairman of Policy Exchange Bangladesh, told *Kaler Kantho* that the national economy is currently navigating a critical phase. Concerns have emerged regarding both the labor market and remittances—a primary source of foreign currency earnings. The migration process has slowed due to international geopolitical conflicts and limitations in developing new labor markets. If these conflicts hinder the ability of expatriates to earn an income or send money home, it will have a direct impact on remittances.
Shariful Islam Hasan, Associate Director (Migration) at BRAC, noted that military conflicts and insecurity in the Middle East pose significant risks to Bangladesh’s overseas labor market and remittance inflows. If these conflicts persist, there is a risk that workers’ earnings could decline, forcing them to return home unemployed, while the flow of remittances could be disrupted. Economists and migration experts emphasize the urgent need to ensure the safety of expatriates, extend visa validity for stranded workers, and normalize air travel to sustain remittance growth. Furthermore, efforts must be made to expand opportunities for sending workers to alternative labor markets, such as those in Europe and Japan.
A decline in remittance inflows could exert pressure on the supply of US dollars, potentially complicating the import of fuel, food products, and industrial raw materials, as well as the maintenance of a balanced external account. The ultimate impact, however, will depend on the duration of the conflicts, export earnings, and other inflows of foreign currency.
While a 17.30% growth in remittances over the past year has provided some economic relief, the instability in the labor markets of Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East has created new challenges for sustaining these gains.
BP/TD